According to Donald George Broadley (1990), this species is most closely related to the ball python (P. regius) of western Africa,[3] and no subspecies are currently recognized.

Python anchietae may grow up to 183 cm (6 ft) in total length (including tail).

The color pattern is a reddish-brown to brown to almost black ground, overlaid with irregular white or cream-colored bands and spots.

A rare species seldom seen in the wild or in captivity, it is the only python to have "bead-like" head scales.

[3] Python anchietae is rare in captivity due to the long civil war in Angola.